Machine for assembling tiles



J. J. vsEMAsHKo MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLIING TILES Feb., 27, Y1923.

8 sheets-sheet 1 Filed June 9, 1921v INVENTOR Jahn 3cm ash/io.

ATTORNEY `Feb. 27, 1923.

. J. SEMASHKO MACHINE FOR AS'SEMBLING TILES 1921 S'Sheets-sheet 2' lx ll L Filed June 9 ATTORNEY W lTNESiSg/@Z- Feb. 27, 1923.

J. J. SEMASHKO MACHINE FORVASSEMBLING TILES Filed June 9, 1921 John J'emashlb.

ATTORNEY wink-SSX@ 'Peri-1.27, 1923.

J. J. SEMASHKO MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING TILES Filed June 9, '1921 s sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR John :l Semashlto.

A'ITORNEY F evbT 27, 1923.

J.,J. 4sEMAsl-IKO MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING TILES 8 sheets-sheet 5 Filed June 9, 1921 John J Semahlo.

ATTORNEY Feb. 27, 1923.

J. J. SEMASHKO MACHINE FOR AssEMBLING TILES Filed June 9,

1921 8 sheets-sheet 6 Jah'n J'emashla.

Feb.27,1923.

.1. J. sEMAsHKo o MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING TILES Filed June 9, 1921 8 sheets-sheet '7 /32 V130 la] 12J .ya 127 I' /18 m l (M |:0e0000w9 l.

ATTQRNEY o John ZSemaJh/o.'

Feb. 27, 1923. 1,447,155

A J. J. SAEMASHKO MACHINE FOR ASSEMBLING TILES Filed June 9, 1921 a sheets-sheen 8 ...Q .w H.

L r n.. :.:1 nu. u .ea-.cris n: 12.11.: L. .1.... -v .v v...as .r .r a a.. .r

n Nh' am Nm Patented F eb. 27, 1923.

STATES JOHN SElVLSIIKO, OF MORRISVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA,. ASSHIGNORQF ONE-HALF T0 DANIEL P. roRs'i, or TRENTON, nnwannen.

ieecnrnn ron ASSEMB'LING TILES.

.eppiieanoa fue@ June 9. 1921. serial nofiese.

T 0 all whom t may concern;

BeV it known that I, 'JOHN J. Smiasiino, a citizen of Russia, residing at'Morisville, in the county ofBucks andtate oi' Pennsylvania, haveinvented new and useful Improvements lin llahines for Assembling Tiles; of' whichI the following is a Vspecification.

This invention relates to machines for assembling tiles,'that is vto say, machines which are employed for feeding tiles to and arranginglthet'same on to boards or the like With one surface'eiposed ready to receive a gummeld sheet of paper ready for application toa llooror other surface in the same manner `ivhichltile's assembled by hand are employed.

Theprimairy object of my invention is to provide anew or improved tile assembling machine bythehuse of which manual labor is reduced to a'minimum, whilst the tiles are 'fed to the board-s 'for transportationor storage and Vmore efliciently handled than has heretofore beenl ppssible, whereby a consid erable economy in time and laboris effected.

Another object of this invention is to provide a machine of the type referred to by means of which small tiles no matter What their shape may be can be assembled in regular order in spaced` relation or close juxtaposition ready to receive anV adhesive coated sheet of paper or other appropriate material ready for useivhen covering a Hoor or other flat surface,

A still further object of this invention is to provideia machine of the character designat'elwhich is automatic in act-ion andv by the use of which the tiles are conveyed from the source of supply to an assembly Conveyor and thence conducted in properly assembled position to theboa-rds on which they are packed for transportation or storage ready for use.

'Another very` important object of this invention is' the provision of a tile assembling Y maehin'e 4 which eliminates the necessity for feed-ing'thefbo-ards'tivice through they mahandling Ypolygonal shaped tiles; in otherVv favo-rds," by. my present invention a-lii-giiiigrovvs "of polygonaltiles are, simul-r taf `ous'ly Tied to" the boards and not alternfte riis 'as has heretofrebeen the case, whereby a great saving of time "is eected. `With the. foregoing'and other-objects in vier .s riesamemae-"aprem as', this description proceeds, this invention consists essentially in `the novel "features of construel tion,` combinations' and arrangements of parts hereinafter fully deseribed",v lniore particularly denedby the appended claims;

`In the further disclosure lof the invention reference is tok be had vto the "accompanying sheets of explanatory drawings constituting a part of this specificationandl in iivhich" like characters of reference 'designate the same or correspondingparts in all thevieivs. i

"Figurev l isa side elevation` ofone practical embodiment of tlii's'inventionj f Figure 2 is aseetion throught the feedhopper and taken approximately on the line 2 2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a top -planfof the conveyor belt which conveys the tiles from the fee`dhopper elevator to the shaker 'and discharge mechanism. l Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical section through the feed hopper and v associated parts.

Figure 5 is a similar enlarged vertical section through the shaker andboard feeding mecha-nisn.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary enlarged' detail of the tile :feed regulating and interrupting means and vWhich Aalso .ensures the proper setting of the tiles on the boards as they lleave the shaker mechanism and chute, 'the feed regula-ting and'interruptingfmeans being illustratedin the operative position.

Figure 7 isa similar fragmentary detailv showing the tile member regulating'iand interrupting meansfin the inoperative posi# tion. I

Figure 8A is a sectional detail shou'inga modified! stop means 'for 'interrupting the flow of the tiles from the boarcl`iee'cliiig chute. Figure '9V is a sectionalfYdeta-ilj showing a convenient means for providing' a readily removable tile feed regulating andE interrupting device such is illustrated''inY Figures 61 and.` l

Figure l() is an-enlargedtop' plan vievv of the shaker mechanism and ltile feedffregulating and interrupting means. Figure ll 'isaptransverse section taken approximately "on tliev line lliifFigiiie 10. Figure 12 isa fragmentary'enlarged'eioss section taken von the linelQ-.IZ in 'Figure 102 F ifruije 13 is` an enlarged detail ofthe emiten- 1e Figure 14 is an enlarged'transverse section taken on the line 1%14 in Figure 4 and looking toward the left hand thereof.

Figure 15 is an enlarged transverse section taken approximately on the line 15-15 in Figure 5 and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 16 is a transverse section on the line 16-16 in Figure 5. l

Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional detail of a modified tile releasing means.

Figure 18 is a transverse section on the line 18-18 in the preceding figure.

Figure 19 is a plan of the machine operating mechanism generally.

Figure 2O is a detail view of the shifting rail actuating means hereafter more particularly referred to.

Figure 21 is a sectional detail taken on the line 21-21 in the preceding ligure.

Figure 22 is a fragmentary plan of a board for receiving square tiles arranged to break joint. n

Figure 23 is a detail fragmentary plan of a board for receiving hexagonal tiles.

Figure 24 is a perspective view of a square tile.

Figure 25 is a similar view of a hexagonal tile.

Figure 26 is a sectional elevation of'a power actuated means for releasing the tiles from the board feeding chute.

Figure 27 is a fragmentary7 front elevation of the same.

Figure 28 is an enlarged detail hereinafter more specifically referred to.

Figure 29 is a diagrammatic longitudinal section of a slightly modified form of the invention; and,

Figure 30 is a sectional plan of the same taken approximately on the line 27-27 in the preceding figure.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings in detail I construct a main framework from appropriate section material such as angle irons braced by end and cross members 11 to ensure rigidity and said frame work is conveniently secured to the licor 12 in any of the well known ways. Ob liquely inclined at one end of the framework 10 and connected thereto by supports 13 is a second framework 14 secured at its lower end by angle plates 15 to the floor l2, and this framework 14 is conveniently made from spaced angles 14 rigidly braced by cross tiesv 16 and a licor 17. This framework 14 is also provided at its ripper and lower ends with bearings 13 in which are j ournaled shafts or rollers, 19, 20 over which passes a composite elevator belt 21 provided with transverse slats 22 for the purpose later on explained; and intermediate the aforesaid rollers 19, 20 there is provided a third or flanged roller 23 journaled in ladjust-able bearings 24 mounted on the underside of the framework 14 and thereby furnishing an effective means for taking up any slack that may develop in the elevator belt 21 as well as ensuring easy running of the same. Securely attached to the inclined framework 14 is a hopper 25 of appropriate material and pattern that serves as a receiver for the tiles which are to be assembled by passage through the machine, and it is to be noted that the sides of said hopper 25 eX- tend upwards into close proximity with an inverted channel shaped screen 26 of retic ulate material mounted over the upper part of the framework 14 and which serves to protect the tiles carried upwards by the composite elevator belt 21 from falling over the sides of the machine; or in other words,

the small tiles handled, due to their formation and agitation when being elevated by the elevator belt 21, are liable to be catapulted therefrom and the screen 26 serves to project them downwards either, back again on to said belt 21 or into the hopper 25.` inclined guides 21 are also fitted at the sides of the elevator belt 21 to aid in preventing the tiles from falling therefrom. Adjoining the upper roller 19 and inclining downwardly therefrom is a channel-shaped truncated screen 27 of reticulate material which serves to screen the tiles as they leave the elevator belt and thereby remove any foreign matter or small broken parts, and from this screen 27 the tiles are fed to a conveyor belt 23 carried by horizontally disposed rollers 29, 29 journaled in appropriate bearings 30 on the framework 10. A removable tray 31 is arranged beneath the screen 27 to collect the dust and other material passing therethrough.

The conveyorbelt 28 traverses a table 32 and it is to be here noted that during their transit thereover is the only time that any manual labor is employed, namely, for removing any defective tiles as well as turning over all tiles which may be face downwards. The conveyor belt 28 and elevator belt 21 are simultaneously operated by a chain drive 33 passing over sprocket wheels 34, 35 respectively, mounted on the aforesaid rollers 29, 19, said chain drive 33 alsopassing over an adjustable idler 36 and a third sprocket wheel 36 keyed or otherwise secured on a counter-shaft 37, journaled in bearings 3S carried by the framework 10. This counter-shaft 37 is in turn driven by means of atoothed wheel 39 in mesh with a pinion 40 on the power shaft 41 journaled in bearings 42 on the framework 10. A friction or other clutch control 43 visp-rovided for connecting up the counter-shaft 37 to the power shaft 41, or disconnecting same therefrom as required, said clutch being actuable by means of a manual trip 44 supported in bearings 45 on the frame 10.

ATo one or both sides of the aforesaid table any of the yivell fluiorvnj Ways, 'f 'or ample';y by' a beltfdr'ive conn'eating"tof the pjlleys 49' on the'pive shaft or, the'iiaelhiiie'rnay be made' Self-vcpntainedfby conne'e'ting`'there-V to anelectrienotor as 'willbereadily un,` derstodby those aequaiiited'f with f the art to which this invention appertainsf Mounted onthe "aforesaid 'vfirst v.motionI shaft'll 'is a vbevel I geary 50V in mesh vvith 'ai correspondin'ggarzll`'on the end` of 'longitudinallyjdisposed 'shaft jrournale'd j in bearings 53 f and "said shaft 52" is similarly fittedatfits other end 'with amitergear 5 4 in mesh ,Withaeorresponding 'miterjgearf 55 keyedbibthervvi'se securedona stnb'fa'xle or shaftfjou'rnaled ina bearing Zjonthe framevorkflOf; y lntermediate'the ends 'of the s'haft'ygisfa WormfS adaptedto drive a worm` lv vleel on" a ivcross-shaft 60 j onrnaledfin"beisiringsv 61Y "on the 'framework' lO and said ross-shaft() siippots'a sp'roelizetY or toothed .Wheel '62 over whiehpasses a chain 63 thatse'rves' to drive'y 'another-*crossshaft 64e byv means .of a vchain" wheel "65 journaledV i'n'v bearings' 66011 the framework l0,

and this eh'ainf 63" ils'provided at. intervals ofl its'fn'len'gthx'witli etitstan'ding'T-shaped' engraging?devices"or4 ys tops'67 for the purpose later on explained. Y l .v I y The tile re'eeiving or assembling-boards 68 are dfanyn'of the Well kno Wr'rjtypesA andinay be provided With thin"divsion'strips 69"of rectangular for'mation' "shown inf Figiire 22, or he'xagonalldivs cated in Figure '23' respectively; to ae'eo'mmo appropriatejfriction"oriotherifelitehS 'i Longit'lidinally .ofthe plate fSB'ora "por-395 `justableIchiites"94g, each ""o'fWhiehin'elud'eslOO av bottom' or' runner 95 and fspacesi'cl'es 96'- Y Fitoglir'e Y1Q-said runners being 'clamped j to erossf'bars' 97rr by cap screws fori studs 98` y passed? through slots 99-n saideross bar.

Uvon referenceimore partienlarly" 'to Fignrej'4 lO-eorverge 'ontwardly1 fora part of t'heirfy length andthereaiyter'eontinne in" parallel#-` ism 'to their points ff-"discharge onV tof'the f boardsparSf; Mounted*in spaeedfrelation'fover 1110 date tiles of the patterns illustrated l )y!"fii1gs'V -102vonlth`e aforesaidfside"members8T,

Figure's'and 25`fbntit will be'obviousthat said "division fstrips :69."0154 G9pmay1be of any other patteror,theyniay'be dispensed withL n entirely. These ytile`rreeeiving orpassemblythe baid68' boards 'aref fittedon theirnndersidesivitb-'fl notchedV battenef'l for sliding movement along longitudinalirails y.72 which are trans-f"if verselv'onneeted byf gross' vties 73' inltiirni i" supported Yforked bearingsionthe' provisionffor the movement the assembly4 boardsjjo laterallyjtof release "orfv feed Ythe tilesoriilling''alternate spaces bei tween"`th'e Vdivisionstripsi)` or 69 I secure Sa drive 110 and drive wheelA or pulley 111 from a corresponding wheel or pulley 112 on the hereinbefore referred to stub-axle or shaft 56. Y

rilhe free ends of the aforesaid side members 87 are downwardly curved as shown in Figures 6 and 7 to provide what may be termed pawl or detent like portions 113 for co-operation with the toothed peripheral edges 114 of spaced discs 115 keyed .or other-A wise securely mounted on the shaft 64 and their purpose is to feed the tiles row by row evenly across the boards as later eX- plained. In connection with these discs 115 I prefer to make them with removable rims or perimeters .114 appropriately ,bolted thereon by bolts 116, and it is to be noted v that the machine is adapted for fillingv boards of different lengths; or I may use V- shaped inserts 114C between the teeth of the toothededge 114 to create the necessary interruptions as shown by Figure 8 and as will be readily understood therefrom.

Transversely across the outlet end of the chutes 94 I mount spaced and superposed bars 117, 118 having registering holes there-v in to receive the shanks 119 of gravity fall plungers or weights 12() adapted for accurate adjustment in a vertical direction by studs 121 in the bar 118 as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and whereby the lower ends of said shanks 119 can be arranged to contact with the tiles 70 one by one in sequence as they are about to dis.- charge on to the boards 68. In addition, these gravity-fall-plungers or weights 120 serve kto cut off and interrupt the discharge of tiles 70 when an assembly board is filled until another or 'the following board 68 is in position thereunder. f 1

In conjunction with the aforesaid gravity` fall-plungers or weights 120 I may employ the means illustrated by Figures 17 and 18,

and which comprise forked tongues 122 hingedly supported by abar or bars'123 so that said tongues 122 normally are out of engagement with thetiles 70 about to be discharged from the chutes 94, the insertion of a pointed rod, ory cam-bar 124 between said bar or bars 123 andchute sides 96 obviously forcing said tongues'122 into gripping tionary, and the tiles 70 be released therefrom in staggered or varied relation from different feed' supplies, I preferably em# ploy the means illustrated by Figures 26 to 28 inclusive, and which consists of spaced super-posed barsv 117, 118-as hereinbefore set forth-supported transversely of the chute discharge end, saidbars 117, 118 slidably housing the gravity-fall-plungers or weights 120 which in this yinstance are provided with upwardly projecting stems 125 passing through holes in the upper bar 118, and terminated with adjusting nuts 126. Supported by bearings 127 in the framework 10 is a horizontally mounted transverse rod or shaft 128 on which is pivo-ted a series of double-ended strip like levers 129 the align ing ends to one side whereof are forked at 130 to engage beneath the adjusting nuts 126, whereas' the opposed 'ends are bent to constitute keys 131, which lie in the path of stops 132 on the periphery of a wheel 133 secured on a transverse shaft 134 journaled in bearings 135 on the framework 10, and arranged for rotation by means of a belt, rope or other drive 13,6 and pulley 137 from any convenient part of the machine such as the pulley 112 on the stub axle or shaft 56. It is also to be here particularly noted that the stops 132 are provided withthreaded Shanks 13S-Figure 28-for insertion into correspondingly threaded holes 139 in the rim 140 ofthe wheels 133, thereby making 4 yprovision for an adjustment of a variable nature; or in other words, providing for different intervals in the feed of the tiles 70 ,to aligning rows longitudinally of the lboards 68.

Figures 29 and 30 illustrate diagrammat-A ically .what may be termed a single feed machine in that I provide two elevators feeding Vscreens 27 and conveyors 28, said conveyors disharging on to channeled chutes 86, 94,

94a, it being noted that one chute 94 sup-k rangement the rails 72 are stationary and the cam mechanism 77 forvmoving same latterally isomitted.` Thus it will beseen that the boards 68 pass directly through the machine and are lnot returned for filling intervening spaces.

From the foregoing description it willrbe clearly seen that by 7this invention there is provided an extremely .efficient tile assembling machine, lthe operation whereotywill be clearlyapparent to those acquainted with the art to which it appertains, therefore, a lengthy outline is deemed unnecessary be-k yond stating "that as -the tiles are fed tothe hopperwthey are elevated there-from by theelevator 2l.y and dumped on -to the screen EBT-fronrwhi'ch 4they are transported by the conveyor 2S tothe chiite 486 and during passage-thereover are agitated by the shaker or stirrup shaped bar 104; into .proper alignment for :feeding to-theadjustable chutes 9e from which .they are discharged on to the assembling boards 68 as hereinbetore set forth. It is also to be most particularly noted that thel discharge. ends of the chutes 94; for -altew inches ot' theirlength are sloped to one side as shown at lelin' Figure 148, so that the yti-l'es vIOf-slide-'ofl to fone side of said chutes-whereby they yare delivered onto the boards GSAAi-naccurate register, ivhi-lstthe assembling boards GS as they leavethe rails 72 iare kpassed directlyj on to aprtable 142e- Figure 5.-1or thev application to ythe'tiles ot a-gumined paper in accordance with the prevailingfpracticecf the trade. v y NVhilst II have describe'l and shown the'best form of myl invention atpresent known to me itl-istoloe clearly understoodthat I do Vnot limit .myself in any., wayyto the precise details of construction,` combination and arrangement ofepa'rts hereinbefore disclosed, butconsider myself fullyat--liberty to make suoli variations andchanges to adapt the machine to different service conditions; and it -is hereby, intended to include all such reasonable changes andother combinations of theseveralparts as airly allwithin the scope oftheiappendediclaims, d

Having describedmy invention` what I -claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is: y

l. In a-machine orassembling articles of uniform pattern; means for `feeding a quantity oi'lsaid articles thereto,a conveyor kfor .transporting saidarticles to a chute divided in'to independent. channels, means for agitat-L ing said articles as theyL enter` the independent channels, means yfor. effecting the release of the articles from the independent -fchannels fin aligning rows,- vmeans for, receiving thewalignijng rows otarticles in staggered relation,"V andjvn-ieans` for@ interrupting ythe rele ase 4of ;said farticles when a.. predeter1nined numberlthereothave been. assembled. e

f2.' In a` -machine y forassembling tilesl of uniform pattern, means or-feeding-a quan- Vtity'if tiles; thereto, means ,for ltransporting Vthe ,tilesfrom' the screening means toa chute divided v finto independent channels, means :forl agitatingl the tiles as.. they enter l*theindependent channelsfmeans for effecting the release-ot the tiles from the independent channels in aligning rows, means for receiving lthe 'aligning rows .of tiles in stag-'f gered relation, and means lfor interrupting the discharger ci' said :tiles wheny ay predeter! mined number thereof'haiie .been assembled. ln a machine 'for Iassembling tiles'of` uniforml pattern, an elevator -oi eeding'the tiles thereto, a conveyorioi"transporting the tiles from the screen vto a chute ,dividedlifnto independent channels, an agitatoffor evenly distributing 'the tiles overfthe .channeled chute, gravity iall means V"for eiecting the release ofthe tiles from the channeled lchute. in aligning rows ,on to tile receivingmeans', mechanism vfor reCPrOcatingf the tile recei`ving means laterally wherebylsucces'sive rows of aligning tiles are discharged in staggered relation, and mechanism 'for' interrupting'the discharge of said tiles when @predetermined number thereofA have been assembled.

4. Ina machine yfor assembling tiles of uniform pattern, 'an levatorior 'feefding the tilesv thereto, aconveyor for transporting the tiles rom'the screen to a 7liinge'dly mounted chute Vdivided'. intox independent channels, e an agitator including a reciprocal member having an .arcuate vportion for vevenly 'distributing the tiles over fthe channeled chute, La gravity -fall means y:t'or effecting the release of the tiles rom-lthe channeled chute Ain aligning rowscn to v.a tile receivingllafy, mechanism l'for reciprocating the ytile receiving tray laterally wherebysuccessive rows of aligning tiles #are 'discharged vin staggered relation, and mechanism for interrupting the discharge fsaid tiles when alrpredetermined number thereof'havelbeen assembled onthetray. 4 5'. In a machine for` assembling tilesfof uniform pattern, an elevator for: eedinglthe tiles thereto, a conveyor'vfor transportngthe tiles from the screen to a'hingedly mountedv chutev divided into independent channels, an agitator' including a4 lslidably lmounted.stirrup shaped.Y memberhaving an arcuateportion, eccentric mechanism lfor reciprocatiijigv said agitator whereby Kthe tilesar'e-.evely distributed Vlovery the channeled chute, ,gfrav ity fall means fior effecting the. releaseff ai@ tiles from the channeled there" .in ,aligning rows on to, a tileA receiyingtrayyme'cha- `nism for reciprocating the tile receiving :tray

laterally whereby successive rows of;align ing tiles are discharged in .staggered vrelation, and mechanism 'for linterrupting'.fthe .discharge 'of said )tiles when ka,,.predeterminefd number. thereof have-been assembledenlthe tray.V @4 Y n In. a machine `for assembling 4tiles of uniform pattern, an elevator.j fory feeding .ther

tiles `-from v .theI screen, to a@ hingedly v'mcunted `chute divided intoindependent channelslan agitator including. a .s lida-bly niougntedffstir- .rup shaped member having'. anria-reiiatepor- .ico

isc

f tiles thereto, a conveyor` ortransporting the tion, eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said agitator whereby the tiles are evenly distributed over the channeled chute, a gravity fall device slidably mounted` over the outlet end of each channel in the hingedly mounted chute for effecting the release of the tiles therefrom in aligning rows on to a tile receiving tray, mechanism for reciprocating the tile receiving tray y laterally whereby successive rows of aligning tiles are discharged in staggered relation, and mechanism for interrupting the discharge of said tiles whenv a predetermined number thereof have been assembled on the tray.

T. ln a machine for assembling tiles of uniform pattern, an elevator for feeding the tiles thereto, a conveyor for transporting the tiles from the screen to a hingedly mounted chute divided into independent channels, an agitator including aslidably mounted stirrup shaped member having an arcuate portion, eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said agitator whereby the tiles are evenly distributed over the channeled chute, an adjustable gravity 'fall device slidably mounted over the outlet end of each channel in the hingedly mounted chute for effecting the release of the tiles therefrom in aligning rows 0n to a tile receiving tray, mechanism for reciprocating the tile receivingtray laterally whereby successive rows of aligning tiles are discharged in staggered-relation, and mechanism for interrupting the discharge of. said tiles when a predetermined number thereof have been assembled on the tray.

8. In a machine for assembling tiles of uniform pattern, an elevator for feeding the tiles thereto, a conveyor for transporting the tiles from the screen to a chute divided into independent channels, an agitator including a slidably mounted stirrup shaped member having an arcuate distributing portion, eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said agitator whereby the tiles are evenly distributed as they enter t-he channeled chute, gravity fall devices slidably mounted over the outlet ends of the channels in the aforesaid chute, mechanically actuable means for raising said gravity fall devices synchronously for effecting the release of the tiles therefrom in alino'ing rows on to a tile receiving tray, mechanism Afor reciprocating the tile receiving tray laterally whereby successive rows of aligning tiles are discharged in staggered relation, and means for interrupting the discharge of said tiles when a predetermined number thereof have been assembled on the tray.

9. In a machine for assembling tiles of uniform pattern, an elevator for feeding the tiles thereto, a conveyor for transporting the tiles from the screen to a chute divided into independent channels, an agitator including a slidably mounted stirrup shaped member having an arcuate distributing portion, ec-

centric mechanism for reciprocating 'said agitator whereby the tiles are evenly distributed as they enter the channeled chute, gravity fall devices slidably mounted over the outlet ends of the channels in the afore-` said chute, a series of levers pivoted on" a common shaft adapted to co-operate with said gravity fall devices, a rotatable member in alignment with each lever and having projections about its peripheral surface for oscillating said levers to release aligning rows of tiles on to a tile receiving tray,

means for turning the aforesaid shaft step mounted stirrup shaped member having an arcuate distributing portion, eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said agitator, a series of gravity fall devices slidably mounted over the outlet ends of the channeled chute for effecting the release of the tiles therefrom in aligning rows on to a tile receiving tray, laterally movable spaced rails for supporting said tray, can mechanism foreifecting the lateral reciprocation of said spaced rails and tile receiving tray whereby the tiles are fed thereto in aligning rows having staggered relation, and means for interrupting the discharge of said tiles from the chute when a predetermined number thereofhave been assembled on the tray.

11. ln a machine for assembling tiles of uniform pattern, an elevator for feeding the tiles thereto, a conveyor for transporting the tiles from the screen to a hingedly mounted chute divided into independent channels, an agitator including a slidably mounted stirrup shaped member having an arcuate distributing portion, eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said agitator, a series of Agravity fall devices slidably mounted over the outlet ends of the channeled chute for effecting the release of the tiles therefrom in aligning rows on to a tile receiving tray, laterally movable spaced rails for supporting said tray, cam mechanism for effecting the lat-eral reciprocation of said spaced rails and tile receiving tray whereby the tiles are fed thereto in aligning rows having staggered relation, and spaced discs having teeth about their peripheral edges for cooperation with depending detent portions on the chute whereby the latter is oscillated step by step to release aligning rows of tiles,

and said toothed peripheral edges having blank portions whereby the discharge of tiles is interrupted when a tray is returned to the machine for filling alternate longitudinal rows of tiles. l

12. In a machine for assembling tiles of uniform pattern, an elevator for feeding the tiles thereto, a conveyor for transporting the tiles from the screen to a hingedly mounted chute divided into independent channels7 an agitator including a slidably mounted stirrup shaped member having an arcuate distributing portion, eccentric mechanism for reciprocating said agitator, a'seres of gravity Jfall devices slidably mounted over the outlet ends of the channeled chute for electing the release of the tiles therefrom in aligning rows on to a tile receiving tray,

laterally movable spaced rails for supportfed thereto in aligning rows having stag Y gered relation, andspaced discs having removable annular perlpheral portions` provided With teeth on their rim portions i for co-operation with depending detent portionsv on the chute whereby the latter is loscillated step by step to release aligning rows of tiles, and said toothed peripheral edges having blank ortions whereby the discharge of tiles is interrupted when a tray is returned to the machine for filling alternate longitudinal rows of tiles. i

JOHN J. SEMASHKO. 

